Women of the West Program
with Trainer Tom Chambers - sponsored by Tanque Verde Ranch
The Women of the West program lasts six days and is available from September through May. Instruction is provided by Tom Chambers, who has trained hundreds of horses of every breed including young colts, "horses with people problems," and even wild mustangs.
Throughout the week, group riding lessons will be held in order to maximize the abilities of each participant. All levels of riders will get instruction in the proper form and technique of western riding.
Daily Class Schedule
Day 1 - Horse Psychology
Orientation of ranch facilities, ranch rules and introduction of the overall philosophy by which we will be working with our horses. Horse psychology will be covered in detail, along with techniques for equine communication. Individual horses are assigned and stable area procedures will be explained. You'll even be fitted with a pair of genuine leather chaps!
Day 2 - Join up - Round pen work
Hands on demonstrations of safe procedures for horse handling and the beginnings of relationship building between horse and human. This will include the "join up" technique in the round pen, where each participant will physically bond with their horses.
Day 3 - Cattle Penning
Communication techniques using the lead line, lounge line and reigns. This will be partly ground work and partly in the saddle. This will establish the link of communication between horse and rider, and further enhance the horse/rider bonding.
Day 4 - Tracking
Introduction of horses and riders to western style cattle work. This will cover the prey/predator instincts of both cattle and horses and how this is put to use on the western cattle ranch. Each horse will be introduced to the cattle and asked to identify individual steers from a herd for sorting and cutting. A "foot rodeo" is conducted at first where participants actually herd calves on foot in order to understand the nature of cattle before doing it on horseback. (This is really a hoot!)
Day 5 - Team Penning
On the final day we incorporate all of the riding and communication skills we have learned to actually hold a team penning, where calves are cut out of a herd and maneuvered into a pen at the opposite end of the arena. This will allow participants to experience the ultimate union between horse and rider, as they work as a partnership in order to accomplish the task. This is done in teams of 3 riders, and friendly competition is inevitable!
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